Passenger train collides with bus in Argentina

11 people die in incident

kabc

By ABC7

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina The train was traveling from the Argentine capital to the South
Atlantic beach resort of Mar del Plata when the collision occurred
near Dolores, about 125 miles (200 kilometers) south of Buenos
Aires, the government news agency Telam said.

Police said 19 people died. Roberto Capiel, a public health
official, told Telam that 47 people with injuries were taken to a
local hospital for treatment. He said nine of the victims remained
in critical condition.

Television footage showed wreckage of the overturned bus with
its front windshield shattered and much of its roof sheered off.
Crumpled bus seats, children's clothing, a baby bottle and beach
chairs were left scattered across the railway line after the wreck,
which took place at about 2 a.m. local time.

Bus passenger Cecilia Demarco told Noticias Argentinas that the
bus "tried to beat the train" to the crossing, despite repeated
warnings from the train as it sounded a horn. The account could not
immediately be confirmed.

A Todo Noticias broadcast showed images of crushed motorcycle
under the debris and said authorities reported that a woman waiting
on a motorcycle at the crossing was among the dead.

A survivor on the train who identified himself only as Alejandro
told the network he was preparing to go to sleep when the collision
occurred.

"I heard this tremendous crash and everything shook" the
witness said. "There were many screams, and all of this in the
dark."

Police said the bus, which was bound from the beach resort of
Mar de Ajo to the capital, was carrying 61 passengers and two
drivers.

Authorities said there were at least 30 severe injuries reported
on the bus, and at least 15 train passengers and the two train
drivers received minor injuries.